Tech training 'boot camps’ coming to Hartford, Stamford

Software engineers work with code inside the Simsbury-based iDevices. iDevices designs and sells iGrill, iShower, a kitchen thermometer, home wall switches and a home thermostat that are controllable from a mobile device. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)

Connecticut is spending $2.5 million to bring two tech training schools to Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday.

General Assembly will be established in Stamford and Tech Talent South will operate in Hartford.

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“Connecticut is home to one of the most highly skilled, productive workforces in the world, but changes in technology necessitate new skills and new training for our workers,” said Catherine Smith, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The so-called “boot camps” will provide training to hundreds of job seekers, “jump starting their knowledge of data analytics and code writing so they can become productive members of the companies in all sectors of our economy,” she said. A strong workforce in waiting with qualified employees “is critical to attract and retain business growth and innovation,” Smith said.

Prospective workers in tech jobs such as coding and data analytics would be primary candidates for the boot camps. The schools are looking for individuals from communities plagued by high unemployment.

The first courses are set to begin early next year. Combined, the two companies are expected to enroll 400 students by 2020.

The state is using money from its Tech Talent Fund to provide seed capital of $750,000 for the first year and $500,000 for the second year for scholarship funds and operating support to each of the two schools. The Department of Economic and Community Development administers the fund, which was established by the legislature in 2016 to help match job seekers with available work.

General Assembly offers training and assessments in web development, data science, digital marketing and other areas. It also provides online offerings and onsite training.

Tech Talent South operates 11 campuses in the U.S., offering corporate training partnerships and courses that range from a 12-week, full-time web development program to a weekend workshop on Google Analytics.